Real Madrid vs. Barcelona: Complete Player-by-Player Comparison for El Clasico

It's football's biggest game, and it's almost upon us.

On Saturday, Real Madrid and Barcelona will go head-to-head at the Santiago Bernabeu in the 171st edition of the Clasico in La Liga, an occasion that should once again be a special one for these two colossal clubs.

As ever, predicting the outcome borders on impossible, given the way form so often counts for little in these duels. Additionally, the head-to-head record between these teams couldn't be more even: three wins apiece in the last six encounters in all competitions.

Barcelona, of course, go into Saturday's meeting three points ahead of Real Madrid in the table, and with this game nearly always standing as a classic "six-pointer," the result at the Bernabeu could prove critical in the title race.

So how do these teams compare ahead of this epic showdown? Who has the edge for the Clasico?

Across the following slides, we take you through a player-by-player comparison.

Notes

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Predicted XIs

The XIs presented across the following slides are those we believe most likely to be used by managers Rafa Benitez and Luis Enrique on Saturday.

Despite AS reporting that both clubs trained with complete squads this week, both outfits face injury concerns ahead of this Clasico. For Real Madrid, Karim Benzema remains in serious doubt according to another AS report on Friday, while for Barcelona, Lionel Messi is an uncertain starter as he strives to make his return from a knee injury.

Given how early it is in the season and how important it is to protect against long-term damage, we've predicted both men to start on the bench at the Bernabeu and thus have excluded them from the following starting XIs. We have, however, included a comparison of the two likely benches.

Additionally, for the purposes of comparison, we've used a 4-3-3 as the formation for both sides in order for each player to have a direct counterpart.

Form, Not History

In determining which players have the edge in their positional battles, we've used each player's form this season as the primary criteria.

As such, a player's history and past achievements haven't factored in heavily here, as we've aimed to give an indication of where these sides are right now rather than where they've been in previous years.

Goalkeepers

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Keylor Navas vs. Claudio Bravo

Among team-mates, says Marca, his new nickname is "Keylor Paras," which, though hardly brilliant, is pretty accurate. Essentially, it means "Mr. Save." And that's basically what Keylor Navas has done this season: Save shots. Almost every single one of them.

In a spectacular start to the new campaign, the Costa Rican has addressed one of Real Madrid's problematic areas from last season to consistently bail out his team-mates.

Against Real Betis and Atletico Madrid, he saved penalties; against Espanyol and Levante, his superb stops protected early leads; against Granada, he ensured Madrid emerged with a fortunate three points; against Celta Vigo, he was simply extraordinary.

And though he missed the trip to Sevilla prior to the international break, AS reports he'll be ready for Saturday's Clasico.

At the other end, Claudio Bravo will most likely stand in goal for Barcelona, having once again assumed league duties this season after returning from injury, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen confined to the cup competitions.

For the Chilean, it's been a steady opening to the 2015-16 campaign without being spectacular. In front of him, Barcelona's defence has looked fragile at times and left him exposed, but he did make a string of key saves in the 5-2 win over Rayo Vallecano and also stopped a powerful shot from Samu Castillejo in the win over Villarreal.

Perhaps what's most interesting about this goalkeeping battle, though, is the obvious similarities in style between Navas and Bravo. Because neither of them are overly imposing in stature, they aren't the sort of 'keepers capable of dominating their box in the air, and both of their games are underpinned almost entirely by reflexes and shot-stopping.

And on current form, Navas has the edge in that regard.

Edge: Navas

Defenders

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Daniel Carvajal vs. Dani Alves

After a string of poor defensive performances from Danilo in recent weeks, it would be surprising if Rafa Benitez didn't recall Daniel Carvajal at right-back for Saturday's clash with Barcelona.

More attentive, more agile and far better equipped to track the runs of Neymar, the Spaniard would be a logical choice over his Brazilian team-mate, given the way Nolito, Maxwell and Yevhen Konoplyanka exposed the deficiencies in Danilo's game.

Yet, the concern for Benitez might be Carvajal's match fitness. Having not played since the Madrid derby because of injury, the right-back could be a little rusty—but it's a risk Benitez might have to take.

In contrast, Barcelona have no fitness concerns over Dani Alves, but this season, the Brazilian hasn't quite been the same electrifying presence that we've grown accustomed to.

Without Lionel Messi ahead of him, Alves' role as chief creator from out wide on the right has diminished, with Barcelona having gravitated toward Neymar and Jordi Alba down the left in the Argentinian's absence.

Alves, however, still has continuity in his favour.

Edge: Alves

Raphael Varane vs. Gerard Pique

Assessing the performances of Real Madrid's centre-backs has been difficult this season as, despite the team's strong defensive record, Keylor Navas' excellence has been required a little too often for comfort.

However, Raphael Varane has undoubtedly been the most consistent of Madrid's central defenders amid injury setbacks for Sergio Ramos and Pepe, and he looks to have established a permanent starting place in Rafa Benitez's XI.

Most notable, as ever, has been the Frenchman's recovery speed and the pace at which he's been able to cover for others—a quality demonstrated repeatedly against Paris Saint-Germain, Athletic Bilbao, Levante and Malaga.

Gerard Pique, meanwhile, has started the current season in a similar fashion to last, looking somewhat sluggish thus far in a defence that's conceded goals rather regularly.

Admittedly, the Catalan hasn't been helped by some awful displays by Jeremy Mathieu at both centre-back and full-back, but Pique still hasn't been the masterful centre-back he was in the second half of 2014-15, when his combination of authority and serenity was key in Barcelona's surge to a historical treble.

As such, Varane might just pip him at this stage of the season.

Edge: Varane

Sergio Ramos vs. Javier Mascherano

Real Madrid's loss to Sevilla prior to the international break neatly illustrated just how important Sergio Ramos is to this team. After he was forced off the field with injury, Real Madrid fell in a heap, and without him, Los Blancos lack a certain something—something that's hard to pinpoint precisely. Fire, maybe. Intensity. Leadership.

On Saturday, Ramos is expected to play despite his lingering shoulder problem, with Marca reporting he'll likely have surgery following the Clasico.

Somehow, despite the persistent injury, his form has been relatively strong, too.

At the other end, Javier Mascherano looks set to be ready for Saturday's game, having gotten through 90 minutes against Colombia despite concerns over his fitness after suffering a muscle spasm against Brazil.

Given Mathieu's struggles with form this season and the Clasico inexperience of Marc Bartra and Thomas Vermaelen, Luis Enrique will likely be keen to use Mascherano at the heart of the defence.

That said, the Argentinian has had a mixed season thus far, and like Pique, has lacked sharpness and assertiveness when used at the back. A lot of his recent minutes have come in the midfield, too, as Enrique has had injuries to deal with.

Edge: Ramos

Marcelo vs. Jordi Alba

Alongside Keylor Navas, Marcelo has perhaps been Real Madrid's most outstanding player this season.

Combining his typically destructive work in attack with an added sense of maturity in defence—something that's often been missing in his game—the Brazilian looks to have become a real leader at the Bernabeu, and his presence will be absolutely vital for Benitez on Saturday.

As for his opposing number, Jordi Alba has been a little more prominent in attack for Barcelona because of the change of emphasis to the left side as mentioned earlier, seeing him take up some of Alves' attacking load.

His presence since returning from injury has also been a major boost defensively for Barcelona, who, without his pace, were consistently having trouble at left-back.

But in a head-to-head with Marcelo, it's the Brazilian who comes out on top at present.

Edge: Marcelo

Midfielders

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Casemiro vs. Sergio Busquets

Casemiro has undoubtedly been the biggest surprise of Real Madrid's season thus far. After returning from his spell at Porto, he seemed destined for only occasional starts under Rafa Benitez, but he has instead been ever-present thanks to some strong form and injuries to others.

Strong, aggressive and the type of player who loves a scrap, the Brazilian has nicely complemented those around him and has given Madrid's midfield a sturdier feel this season.

For Barcelona, meanwhile, Sergio Busquets is also enjoying a magnificent season in 2015-16.

As always, his cool and understated orchestration from the base of the midfield has been exemplary, but the 27-year-old has also showcased a more attacking side to his game, playing in a more advanced role at times because of injuries to team-mates and shining in a purely creative sense as well.

Edge: Busquets

Luka Modric vs. Ivan Rakitic

Luka Modric is unquestionably among the world's finest central midfielders, but so far this season, he hasn't quite struck his excellence of last term.

In an evolving Madrid team that's struggled for fluency and is yet to establish a clear identity, Modric's impact has been blunted somewhat, his ability to slice open teams with a single pass negated by an attack in front of him that's lacked both continuity and clarity all season.

The way Benitez's team has sat a little deeper on occasion hasn't aided Modric either, given his preference for dictating play from just beyond the halfway line. You sense, however, that Modric's influence will steadily increase amid the returns of Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez, giving him more lethal targets for his passing.

Meanwhile, Ivan Rakitic isn't a guaranteed starter on Saturday as he completes his comeback from a calf injury, but after training with the squad this week, the hunch is he'll feature at the Bernabeu.

And if he does start, Barcelona will need a lift from him.

After a strong first season in Catalonia in which he really grew into his role, Rakitic hasn't been the same this season. It's been hard to explain, too. He hasn't been poor exactly, rather just sort of passive and peripheral—a lot of Barcelona's best work passing him by.

Edge: Modric

Toni Kroos vs. Andres Iniesta

It's been a somewhat difficult start to the 2015-16 season for Toni Kroos. After playing almost exclusively as Carlo Ancelotti's deepest midfielder last term, the German has been used in an array of roles under Benitez thus far, including a sort of roaming No. 10 role seen against Paris Saint-Germain.

Naturally, then, Kroos' effectiveness has wavered a little, the lack of consistency in his positioning depriving him from the rhythm he established in Xabi Alonso's old role at the beginning of last season.

At times he's looked in supreme control, while at others, he's looked caught between two minds.

Opposite him, Andres Iniesta is slowly working his way back into some form following a one-month layoff because of a hamstring injury.

In his absence, Barcelona missed his ability to provide a sense of calm and control in midfield, with outings against Sevilla and Rayo Vallecano in particular taking on quite a frenetic feel.

Of course, Iniesta has completed 90 minutes only once since returning from injury, so Kroos does have a physical edge. But Iniesta's trend is heading the right way.

Edge: Kroos

Forwards

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James Rodriguez vs. Sergi Roberto

The difference was there for all to see. Prior to James Rodriguez's introduction against Sevilla, Real Madrid's attack had looked flat and short on dynamism. The minute he was introduced, however, everything changed.

The problem was that it was all too late.

So far this season, the Colombian's injury-enforced absence has been one of Madrid's major problems, given his ability to both score and create while linking the midfield and the front three. In total, he's played just 151 minutes but already has three goals and an assist—indications of just how potent Rodriguez has become since his move to the Spanish capital.

Should he start on Saturday, he'll provide an immense boost to Rafa Benitez's team.

At the other end, Sergi Roberto might be a surprise inclusion in Luis Enrique's front three.

Despite spending his time in midfield and at right-back this season, Roberto was used as a right winger against BATE Borisov prior to the international break in a move from Enrique that felt like a piece of future planning.

Though it's possible that Iniesta could move forward as he's often done, the younger and more athletic Roberto might be a better two-way option on the same side as the dynamic Marcelo, allowing Iniesta to slot into the midfield.

Roberto has shown some flashes of brilliance, too, most notably that assist against Getafe. He's not yet on Rodriguez's level, though.

Edge: Rodriguez

Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Luis Suarez

It's been a strange season so far from Cristiano Ronaldo. Thirteen goals in 15 games suggests everything is fine, but that's not quite the case.

Eight of those goals came in the space of four days, and on numerous occasions, there's been an uncomfortable detachment between Ronaldo and others—the Portuguese seeming more peripheral and uninvolved than we're accustomed to.

On Saturday, assuming Karim Benzema doesn't start, Ronaldo will likely occupy a central position for the bulk of the game even if he begins from the left, with Gareth Bale also likely to switch roles with him at various points as was evident against Sevilla.

Neither man is in great form, however.

In contrast, Luis Suarez is in blistering touch.

Since Lionel Messi went down with injury in the opening stages of the clash with Las Palmas, the Uruguayan has racked up 10 goals and three assists in nine games, sharing a magnificent on-field relationship with Neymar as one half of the league's most dangerous duo at present.

Edge: Suarez

Gareth Bale vs. Neymar

At the beginning of this season, Gareth Bale looked set for a big campaign. In a new central role, he was immensely influential against Real Betis and Espanyol, carrying the confidence and belief of a man who'd been empowered.

But since, it's all sort of been put on hold. With injuries to Bale and other members of the attack, the whole development of a Real Madrid system built around Bale in a central role has stalled, leaving everyone unsure how it will play out from here.

Against Sevilla, he started brightly while switching from the middle to the left with Ronaldo, but he faded out of the game quickly as Madrid lost control.

And it just turns out his opposite number on Saturday will be Neymar: Unquestionably the best player in the league on form right now.

Indeed, 10 goals and six assists in his last seven games says it all.

Edge: Neymar

Benches

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If the predicted starting XIs presented across the previous slides turn out to be those used by Real Madrid and Barcelona, both teams will have firepower on the bench.

For the hosts, Karim Benzema and Isco would be the best options at Rafa Benitez's disposal, the Frenchman in particular capable of coming on and changing the entire dynamic of Real Madrid's forward setup. Also available to Benitez would be Jese and Lucas Vazquez—a pair of pacey forwards Benitez has often used to make his team more direct in second halves.

Barcelona, meanwhile, have fewer attacking options in reserve to turn to, but the one they do have is the biggest trump card there is. If Lionel Messi doesn't start on Saturday, he'll almost certainly feature in the second half as a substitute.

And remember, that went pretty well against Atletico Madrid earlier this season.